K'CHA Kicks: Curing the blues one custom Vans shoe at a time.

What a wonderful idea! Custom Vans shoes as healing aides to those in need. Katie Chabolla's heart was in the right place when she started "Shoes for the Blues," a program that allows her to bring joy to the sick children and young adults of the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford through painting Vans.

Here is Katie with a satisfied kid.

For two weeks during the summer, Katie visits and paints along side the patients (ages 2 to 21) talking with each one and helping them create mini works of art for their feet. The Vans shoe company generously donated the shoes, and Richards in Alamo donated the paints. For more info about Katie's program, or to see more photos of her work, click Here.

Doesn't it just make you feel all warm and fuzzy down on the inside? Keep up the good work, Katie.

These shoes are minty fresh!

It's hard to believe that these shoes were once just plain white slip-ons, but they were! These mini works of art were hand crafted by Ashley Brackins, a Reseda native, local artist, and Vans shoe enthusiast.


These shoes are guaranteed to make even the grumpiest feet, sweet! They feature a purple sparrow, suspended on a sky blue background surrounded by pink cherry blossoms. But the magic doesn't end here.

These bright yellow beauties were once white too! Amazing what fabric markers and a little patience can do! Both pairs of Vans will be featured and sold exclusively at Oak, a boutique for handmade goods in Boston (MA).

If you would like to get in touch with Ashley, email her at : abcustoms@gmail.com